CM Magazine: Franklin Runs Away

________________ CM . . . . Volume VIII Number 6. . . . November 16, 2001

Franklin Runs Away. (A Franklin TV Storybook.).

Sharon Jennings. Illustrated by Sean Jeffrey, Mark Koren, Joanne Rice & Jelena Sisic.
Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2001.
32 pp, pbk. & cl., $4.95 (pbk.), $ 10.95 (cl.).
ISBN 1-55074-910-2 (pbk.), ISBN 1-55074-912-9 (cl.).

Subject Headings:
Home-Juvenile fiction.
Frustration-Juvenile fiction.

Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 2-7.

Review by Ruth McMahon.

*** /4

excerpt:

Franklin could count by twos and tie his shoes. He had lots of good friends and a family who loved him very much. But one day, Franklin couldn't seem to please anybody or do anything right. He decided that no one cared about him at all. It all started at breakfast. Harriet was cranky and fussy. Franklin tried all of his funny faces, but his sister wouldn't smile. Then Franklin's father said, "I had to put your bicycle away for you last night. That's the third time in three days." Franklin was told there would be no bike riding for the rest of the week.

Franklin the turtle is back once again to amuse, soothe and entertain. Based on the

characters developed over a decade ago by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark, Franklin Runs Away is based on an episode of the animated television series, Franklin. The job of adapting the television plot for a picture book is adeptly handled here by Sharon Jennings, well-known for her own books and characters. Her straightforward, elegant writing style makes this book a joy to read and brings relief to parents who will have to read this book numerous times!

Franklin, feeling he is being ignored by his friends and mistreated by his family, decides to run away. On his journey, Franklin starts to remember the love and attention his family and friends have lavished on him and decides to return home.

The familiar face of Franklin, his family and friends, along with the warm colours and everyday settings illustrated by a team of illustrators, make for a comforting return to Franklin's world or a pleasant first introduction.

This is not ground breaking work, but Sharon Jennings' excellent text and the familiar illustrations make for another pleasing visit with Franklin.

Recommended.

Ruth McMahon worked as a professional children's librarian for 13 years and is currently
co-chairing Alberta's Rocky Mountain Book Award.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

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